Handbook of Nucleating Agents is the most extensive monograph on the subject ever written. In addition to the Handbook, Databook of Nucleating Agents is simultaneously published to give readers comprehensive information on this important subject.

Handbook of Nucleating Agents gives information on how to increase the production rate, modify structure and morphology, improve mechanical performance, and reduce haze of polymeric products with a proper selection of nucleating agents (and/or the so-called clarifying agents). Handbook of Nucleating Agents brings analyses of important publications found in open and patent literature. Special attention is given to the findings of the last five years which brought many new important developments.

The book is divided into 14 chapters each of which concentrates on essential performance of nucleating agents. Chemical origin and related properties of nucleating agents are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties. The specific agents are discussed in Databook of Nucleating Agents which is published as a separate book to help in selection of product available in the commercial markets and analyze properties of different products. Information in Databook and Handbook is totally different without any repetition.

The next six chapters of Handbook discuss the most essential theoretical knowledge required for the proper selection and use of nucleating and clarifying agents. These include polymer crystallization in the presence and without nucleating agents, parameters of crystallization, essential influences on the nucleation processes, the measures of nucleation efficiency, the mechanisms of nucleation, and the effective methods of dispersion of nucleating agents.

Following three chapters concentrate on the application aspects in different formulations. Here extensive use is being made of patent literature and research papers available for different applications. Discussed are 19 polymer processing methods which require use of nucleating agents, 40 different polymers which are known to use nucleating agents, and 16 groups of commercial products in which nucleating agents found applications. This shows that the modern use nucleating agent is widespread in industry.

The last three chapters discuss the effects of nucleating agents on physical and mechanical properties of materials, the most essential analytical techniques used to analyze systems containing nucleating agents, and health and safety in use of nucleating agents.

This important and timely publication(s) should not be missed. They contain essential information for upgrading production to the more economical level and products to the highest performance standards possible today.

1 Introduction

2 Chemical Origin of Nucleating Agents

2.1 Acids

2.2 Amides

2.3 Carbon nanotubes

2.4 Graphene derivatives

2.5 Hydrazides

2.6 Inorganic materials

2.6.1 Boron nitride

2.6.2 Calcium carbonate

2.6.3 Hydroxides

2.6.4 Silica

2.6.5 Talc

2.6.6 Others

2.7 Masterbatch

2.8 Phosphate salts

2.9 Polymeric

2.10 Proprietary nucleating agents

2.11 Salts of carboxylic acids

2.12 Sorbitol derivatives

2.13 Xylan esters

2.14 Other nucleating agents

3 Polymer Crystallization with and without Nucleating Agents

4 Parameters of Crystallization

5 What Influences Nucleation?

5.1 Concentration

5.2 Solubility of nucleating agent in polymer

5.3 Shear rate and time

5.4 Form of nucleating agent

5.5 Mixtures of nucleating agents

6 Nucleation Efficiency Measures

6.1 Nuclei density

6.2 Nucleation activity and constant

6.3 Nucleation efficiency

6.4 Activation energy

7 Mechanisms of Crystallization

8 Dispersion of Nucleating Agents

9 Nucleating Agents in Different Processing Methods

9.1 Blow molding

9.2 Blown film extrusion

9.3 Calendering

9.4 Compression molding

9.5 Dip coating

9.6 Extrusion

9.7 Foaming

9.8 Hot-melt coating

9.9 Injection molding

9.10 Micro-injection molding

9.11 Powder injection molding

9.12 Pultrusion

9.13 Reaction injection molding

9.14 Rotational molding

9.15 Sheet molding

9.16 Spinning

9.17 Thermoforming

9.18 Welding and machining

9.19 Wire coating

10 Application of Nucleating Agents in Specific Polymers

10.1 Poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)

10.2 Cellulose acetate

10.3 Epoxy resin

10.4 Ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer

10.5 Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer

10.6 Fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer

10.7 Liquid crystalline polymer

10.8 Polyamide

10.9 Poly(acrylic acid)

10.10 Polyacrylonitrile

10.11 Polyaniline

10.12 Poly(butylene terephthalate)

10.13 Polycarbonate

10.14 Poly(-caprolactone)

10.15 Polychlorotrifluoroethylene

10.16 Polyethylene

10.17 Polyetheretherketone

10.18 Polyetherketoneketone

10.19 Poly(ethylene oxide)

10.20 Poly(ether sulfone)

10.21 Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

10.22 Polyethylene, silane-crosslinkable

10.23 Poly(glycolic acid)

10.24 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

10.25 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

10.26 Polyimide

10.27 Poly(lactic acid)

10.28 Polyoxymethylene

10.29 Polypropylene

10.30 Polyphthalamide

10.31 Poly(p-phenylene sulfide)

10.32 Polystyrene

10.33 Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

10.34 Polyurethane

10.35 Poly(vinyl alcohol)

10.36 Poly(vinylidene fluoride)

10.37 Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)

10.38 Poly(vinyl fluoride)

10.39 Poly(N-vinyl carbazole)

10.40 Unsaturated polyester

11 Nucleating Agents in Various Products

11.1 Adhesives

11.2 Aerospace

11.3 Appliances

11.4 Automotive materials

11.5 Bottles

11.6 Building construction

11.7 Cable & wire

11.8 Coatings & paints

11.9 Electronics and electrical

11.10 Fibers

11.11 Films

11.12 Medical applications

11.13 Pharmaceutical applications

11.14 Railway

11.15 Roofing

11.16 Window profiles

12 Effect of Nucleating Agents on Physical-mechanical Properties

12.1 Physical properties

12.1.1 Agglomeration

12.1.2 Aspect ratio

12.1.3 Crystalline structure

12.1.4 Hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties

12.1.5 Melting temperature

12.1.6 Moisture

12.1.7 Optical properties

12.1.8 Particle size

12.1.9 Refractive index

12.1.10 Shape memory

12.1.11 Solubility

12.1.12 Surface energy

12.1.13 Thermal conductivity

12.1.14 Transition temperature

12.1.15 Zeta potential

12.2 Mechanical properties

12.2.1 Flexural strength

12.2.2 Hardness

12.2.3 Impact strength

12.2.4 Residual stress

12.2.5 Scratch resistance

12.2.6 Shrinkage

12.2.7 Tear strength

12.2.8 Thermal deformation

12.2.9 Tensile strength

13 Important Analytical Methods Used in the Studies of Nucleating Agents

13.1 Crystallinity

13.2 Crystallization half-time

13.3 Differential scanning calorimetry

13.4 Fast scanning chip calorimetry

13.5 FTIR

13.6 Haze

13.7 Orientation degree

13.8 Polarized light microscopy

13.9 Quenching device

13.10 Small angle x-ray diffraction

13.11 Spherulite size

13.12 Thermogravimetric analysis

13.13 Vicat softening temperature

13.14 Wide angle x-ray diffraction

14 Health and Safety with Nucleating Agents

Index

George Wypych has a Ph. D. in chemical engineering. His professional expertise includes both university teaching (full professor) and research & development. He has published 17 books: PVC Plastisols, (University Press); Polyvinylchloride Degradation, (Elsevier); Polyvinylchloride Stabilization, (Elsevier); Polymer Modified Textile Materials, (Wiley & Sons); Handbook of Material Weathering, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Editions, (ChemTec Publishing); Handbook of Fillers, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Editions, (ChemTec Publishing); Recycling of PVC, (ChemTec Publishing); Weathering of Plastics. Testing to Mirror Real Life Performance, (Plastics Design Library), Handbook of Solvents, Handbook of Plasticizers, Handbook of Antistatics, Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives (1st and 2nd Editions), PVC Degradation & Stabilization, PVC Formulary, Handbook of UV Degradation and Stabilization, Handbook of Biodeterioration, Biodegradation and Biostabilization, and Handbook of Polymers (all by ChemTec Publishing), 47 scientific papers, and he has obtained 16 patents. He specializes in polymer additives, polymer processing and formulation, material durability, and the development of sealants and coatings. He is included in the Dictionary of International Biography, Who's Who in Plastics and Polymers, Who's Who in Engineering, and was selected International Man of the Year 1996-1997 in recognition for his services to education.